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Critic's Choice
Third graders read three to five genres and choose one as a favorite. They write an essay persuading the class to read the genre. This instructional activity serves as a nice introduction to different styles of literature.
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Writing a Letter to the Editor
Students identify the main elements/structure of a letter to the editor. They brainstorm for thoughts and opinions on a specific topic and write a first draft of a letter to an editor of a newspaper. They give each other preliminary...
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Poetry
Students apply reading comprehension skills to poetry and synthesize the information to create a new piece of work.
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Moving Toward Independence
Eighth graders identify the reasons why colonists were fed up enough to want to break free of colonial rule and create their own government. They complete an in-dept analysis of the pamphlet Common Sense and it's role in fueling the...
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Voyage of the St. Louis
Ninth graders explore the lives of Jewish refugees during WWII. After reading a brief passage about the people and the voyage of the St. Louis, 9th graders discuss how refugees have been treated historically. Reading and testing...
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Evolution vs. Intelligent Design
Ninth graders explore the arguments surrounding evolution versus intelligent design have affected relationships among people of different religious backgrounds. In this ethics activity, 9th graders determine whether relationships...
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What's in the News?
In this analysing articles worksheet, learners read two newspaper articles about the issue of radon and answer six questions that allow students to reflect on how the articles were written and what is left unknown to the readers.
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Pachyderms on Planes! The Amazing Angolan Ambassadors
Students investigate international aid by researching the history of Angola. In this world crisis lesson, students investigate the history, civil wars and poor economy of Angola and discuss ways to turn the poor nation around....
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King Lear- Cut a Scene
Students determine the most critical elements of King Lear, Act I using a Silent Scene Model. In this King Lear lesson plan, students will create a silent scene based on a scene from Act I of King Lear and act out their scenes for...
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Jet Engine Magazine
Students explore physics by creating a magazine cover in class. In this flight lesson, students identify the motion and force that must be generated in order for a jet engine to lift off the ground. Students create a cover for a...
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The Writing Process
Fifth graders analyze well written and poorly written essays and define the four steps in the writing process. In this writing lesson plan, 5th graders edit poorly written essays.
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Creating a New Society
Students must decide which laws be followed and how many freedoms be allowed in a new society they create. This lesson works well for students of most levels - except beginners - as the subject brings out many opinions.
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Hammurabi's Code of Laws
Students explore why the need arose for laws to govern society, comparing and contrasting hunter/gatherer societies vs. agrarian societies. They write letters to the editor of the Babylonian Times, discussing their opinion of Hammurabi's...
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Creating a Classroom Magazine
Second graders examine different types of magazine writing, and discuss how to develop topics into information that is suitable for short magazine articles. They write, edit, and compose a monthly classroom magazine.
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America's Pastime
Middle schoolers relate Newton's Laws of Motion to the game of baseball. They compare and contrast the materials used in baseballs that could affect their performance. They also determine how friction can be increased or decreased in a...
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Writing a Letter to the Editor
Students examine the structure and elements of a letter to the editor. They identify letter elements, read and discuss newspaper letters, and write and submit a letter to a local newspaper.
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Indian Removal Act
High schoolers use the Internet to research the Indian Removal Act and write a journalistic article showcasing their findings. They choose from a variety of viewpoints and topics to narrow their focus.
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Lincoln's Spot Resolutions
High schoolers examine the controversy and varying points of view leading up to the 19th century Mexican War. They research examples of anti-war movements throughout history and write editorials about their findings.
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Analyzing Election Cartoons
Students are introduced to the history of political cartoons and examine both historical and modern examples. They analyze a cartoon that expresses an opinion about a current event different than their own and develop an original cartoon...
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Parliamentary Newsroom : Developing Media Literacy
Students explain and examine the selection, development, sources, transmission and impact of news on the public. They write a brief essay on the topic: "The Public Must Be Critical In Their Assessment of the News Before Drawing...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Read All About It! Supreme Court Case Makes Headlines!
Young scholars are assigned a landmark Supreme Court case to research. They construct a one-page newsletter on the case which include a summary of the case, two pictures and a short biography on one of the justices on the Court at that...
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The Diary of Anne Frank
Eighth graders apply knowledge of the Holocaust in general and The Diary of Anne Frank in particular to their writing. Acting the play out in class provides them an almost firsthand knowledge of Anne and the other characters.
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Objective Versus Subjective
Students examine the difference between subjective and objective statements, newscasts, and media. They discover that subjective is opinion based and objective is fact based.
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A Newscast on Nigerian Women
Students research the history of Nigeria and the role that women have in its society. The students then showcase this information in a 10 to 15 minute newscast focused on the challenges faced by these women.